The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) reconciliation committee set up to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State has held separate meetings with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
PANDEF National Chairman and former Nigerian Ambassador to Scandinavian countries, Dr Godknows Igali, disclosed this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday.
PANDEF, an umbrella socio-political organisation of the South-South geopolitical zone, recently constituted a seven-member reconciliation committee chaired by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, to explore ways of ending the protracted political crisis in the oil-rich state.
Igali said the committee is made up of respected Nigerians and is making steady progress, noting that both Wike and Fubara have shown cooperation with the reconciliation process.
He explained that the willingness of the two political leaders to make themselves available to the committee indicates their shared desire for peace and stability in the state.
According to him, the committee is also engaging other critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers aligned with both camps, adding that the ongoing engagements show encouraging signs and should not raise public concern.
“The committee is on the ground as we speak now in Port Harcourt, holding meetings with critical stakeholders. They have met with Wike and the governor. They had an exhaustive meeting with the governor. They have met with elders from the two sides
“There is a lot of progress taking place. So, there should be no fear. If Wike and the governor were not ready to cooperate, they would not meet with them (committee). That they could accept to meet with them means that they too want a solution,” Igali said.
He also dismissed fears over an alleged impeachment plot against Governor Fubara, assuring residents that the crisis would be effectively managed.
